Decorative tail pipe mounted apparatus for an automobile

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for attachment to the tail pipe of a vehicle is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an elongate bracket operative to be attached to said tail pipe and having an end extendable beyond the end of said tail pipe. The apparatus also comprises an endplate coupled to said end of said bracket. The apparatus also comprises a symbol formed as a part of said endplate and operative to be viewed by an observer outside said vehicle. The apparatus may amuse observers outside the vehicle and mask the normally unappealing appearance of the tailpipe.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Canadian patent application Serial No. 2,452,974 which is hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to apparatus mountable to an automobile tail pipe. More specifically the present invention relates to a decorative endplate mountable to the end of an automobile tail pipe. Background

Traditionally the automobile tail pipe has served the utilitarian purpose of channeling exhaust gases away from the automobile's exhaust system. The tail pipe is not normally a pleasant site for those observers outside the automobile.

Some attempts have been made to beautify the automobile tail pipe. U.S. Pat. No. 5,884,666 describes one such device. This device uses the force generated by exhaust gases to spin a decorative visual spinner. The device is complex, may be difficult to install and may only be usefully mountable to horizontal exhaust pipes.

Another decorative device for an automobile tail pipe is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,340,144. This device is complicated in structure, and may be complicated to install.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 a depicts a perspective view of a first example of an endplate of the present invention.

FIG. 1 b depicts a perspective view of a first example of the endplate of the present invention mounted to a tail pipe using a first example of the bracket of the present invention.

FIG. 1 c depicts a perspective view of an example of the present invention mounted to a portion of an exhaust system.

FIG. 2 a depicts a side view of a first example of the bracket of the present invention.

FIG. 2 b depicts a perspective view of a first example of the bracket of the present invention.

FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of a first example of the endplate of the present invention mounted to a tail pipe using a second example of the bracket of the present invention.

FIG. 4 depicts a perspective view of an example of an integral bracket/endplate of the present invention in unbent condition.

FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of an example of an integral bracket/endplate of the present invention in bent condition and mounted to an automobile tail pipe.

FIG. 6 a depicts a side view of a third example of the bracket of the present invention.

FIG. 6 b depicts a perspective view of a third example of the bracket of the present invention.

FIG. 7 depicts a perspective view of a second example of the endplate of the present invention mounted to a tail pipe using a third example of the bracket of the present invention.

FIG. 8 depicts a perspective view of a third example of the endplate of the present invention mounted to a dual tail pipe assembly using a bracket assembly of the present invention

FIG. 9 depicts a perspective view of a second example of the endplate of the present invention shown dismounted from a bracket assembly of the present invention.

FIG. 10 depicts a side view of a second example of the endplate of the present invention shown dismounted from a bracket assembly of the present invention.

FIG. 11 depicts a top view of a second example of the endplate of the present invention shown dismounted from a bracket assembly of the present invention.

FIG. 12 depicts a close up perspective view of the attachment points of a second example of the endplate and a first example of the bracket assembly of the present invention.

FIG. 13 depicts a close up perspective view of the attachment points of a first example of the endplate and first example of the bracket assembly of the present invention.

FIG. 14 depicts a close up perspective view of the attachment points of a third example of the endplate and fourth example of the bracket of the present invention.

FIG. 15 depicts a close up perspective view of the attachment points of a fourth example of the endplate and a third example of the bracket of the present invention.

FIG. 16 depicts perspective views of various examples of the bracket of the present invention.

FIG. 17 depicts the bracket of the current invention together with the sound dampener of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the following description and figures describe and show various examples of the endplates, brackets, bracket assemblies and integral endplate/brackets of the present invention. These examples show several different ways of combining the various elements of the invention together and those skilled in the art will appreciate that there are many other ways of combining the various elements without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In general, the bracket is referred to as bracket 10 with specific examples shown in the different figures. In general, the endplate is referred to as endplate 20 with specific examples shown in the different figures. Therefore, the scope of the present invention is to be limited only by the applicable law interpreting the claims following this description.

Referring to FIG. 1 a a first example of an endplate 20 is depicted. A symbol 50 is formed as a part of the endplate 20 by punching. Alternatively the symbol 50 may be formed as a part of the endplate 20 by painting, etching, drawing, engraving, stamping, imprinting, strking, drilling, milling, molding or any other appropriate process. In this example the endplate 20 has a slot 90 which allows the endplate 20 to be attached to a first example of a bracket 10 as described below. The slot 90 may be formed by punching, drilling, milling, molding or any other appropriate process. The endplate 20 may be formed in any applicable shape such as circular (as shown), triangular, square, rectangular, oval, polygonal or misshapen. The symbol 50 may be any symbol desired by a user and limited only by the designer's creativity. Some examples of the symbol 50 include “letters”, “numbers”, “lightning bolts”, “smiley faces”, “stars”, “moons”, “hearts”, “diamonds”, “radiation symbols”, “toxic waste symbols” and many others limited only by the imagination.

Referring now to FIG. 1 b the first example of the endplate 20 is shown coupled to the first example of the bracket 10 and mounted to a tail pipe 60. The bracket 10 is formed from a straight piece of material which has a tab 30 (or lance) punched out of it. Alternatively, the tab 30 may be molded as a part of the bracket 10 or formed in another appropriate process. The tab 30 is engagble with-the outlet end 95 of the tail pipe 6 and may also be engagable with the inner surface of said tailpipe whereas a first section 11 of the bracket 10 engages the outside surface of the tail pipe 60. The bracket is thus mountable flush with the tail pipe 60. A second section 12 of the bracket 10 supports the endplate 20 and comprises a circular bend 80 (or curl) which holds the endplate 20 through slot 90. A bend 70 that may be present in bracket 10 separates the first II and second 12 sections of the bracket 10 and may serve to position the endplate 20 in the centre of the tail pipe 60. This may be desirable when the diameter of the endplate 20 is larger than that of the tail pipe 60. The tab 30 may serve the purpose of preventing the installer from installing the endplate 20 too close to the tail pipe 60 thus preventing backpressure on the automobile engine if this is not desired The bend 70 may also serve to position the endplate 20 such that the endplate hangs vertically even when the tail pipe 60 is not horizontal. The endplate 20 may thus obscure at least a portion of the exhaust system of the vehicle it is mounted to.

The bracket 10 may be attached to the tail pipe 60 with hose clamp 40. The clamp 40 in conjunction with the tab 30 may serve to hold the assembly onto the tailpipe and prevent rotation and slippage. Alternatively the bracket 10 may be attached to the tail pipe 60 or a sleeve covering the tail pipe 60 by bolts, other types of clamps, gluing, welding, etc. In addition, the clamp 40 may be welded or otherwise attached to the bracket 10 or the clamp 40 may be loose from the bracket 10 until it is installed by the user. The bracket 10 and endplate 20 may be formed of any applicable material such as stainless steel, aluminum, high temperature plastics, etc. In fact with the emergence of fuel cell powered vehicles with much lower exhaust temperatures, it is conceived that the endplate and bracket may be formed out of materials less impervious to heat such as lower temperature plastics.

The circular bend 80 may alternatively be other shapes such as a squared bend, oval, etc. as long as endplate 20 engages the slot 90 and the endplate is retained by the bend. The circular bend 80 may be clamped tight, bonded, welded, etc. through the slot or alternatively the endplate 20 may swing within the circular bend 80 which allows the endplate 20 to be swung adjacent to the bracket 10 for shipment. If the endplate 20 is swingable it also allows for the endplate 20 to remain vertical when the tail pipe 60 is off horizontal. I.e., gravitational pull on the endplate 20 will swing it to a vertical position. This may ensure the endplate remains easily visible to an observer.

Referring to FIG. 2 a and FIG. 2 b additional depictions of the bracket 10 are shown. The first section 11 of the bracket 10 may be longer or shorter depending on the proximity of the muffler 15 to the end of the tail pipe 60 and whether the tail pipe 60 has a straight or angled cut at its outlet.

Referring to FIG. 3 a second example of the bracket 10 is shown attached to the first example of the endplate 20. In this example the bracket 10 is straight except for the circular bend 80. In this example the bracket is attachable to the tail pipe 60 using two hose clamps 40. This example of the bracket 10 without the bend 70 may be usable when the tail pipe 60 is larger in diameter than the endplate 20. This may also be the case when the tail pipe 60 has an aftermarket sleeve mounted over it (which the bracket 10 may be mounted to in a similar fashion as it is mounted to the tail pipe 60 directly.)

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5 a perspective view of an integral endplate/bracket 100 is shown both in unbent (FIG. 4) and bent (FIG. 5) condition. In this example of the invention the endplate/bracket 100 comprises both the bracket 10 and the endplate 20 with a bend 110 separating the two. The endplate/bracket 100 may be shipped in bent or unbent condition and the user may adjust the bend 110 to ensure the endplate 20 is visible to an observer if for example, the tail pipe 60 does not exit the vehicle in a horizontal position The user may also adjust the bend 110 to position the endplate 20 to hide as much of the tail pipe 60 and muffler 15 as desired.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 a, 6 b and 7, a second example of the endplate 20 is shown attached and attachable to a third example of the bracket 10. In this example an elongated tab 130 is formed in the bracket 10 such that the bracket 10 may be slid onto the tailpipe 60 with the elongated tab 130 on the inside of the tail pipe 60 and a remaining portion 135 of the bracket 10 on the outside surface of the tail pipe 60 thus positioning the bracket 10 flush with the tail pipe 60. As with the tab 30, the elongated tab 130 may cooperate with the clamp 40 to prevent movement of the bracket 10 in relation to the tail pipe 60. Also, as with the tab 30, the elongated tab 130 (depending on its length) may prevent the installer from mounting the bracket too close to the tail pipe 60 if it is desirable to prevent backpressure on the vehicle's engine.

In this example, bracket 10 has endplate attachment tabs 120 formed at the opposite end as the elongated tab 130. These endplate attachment tabs 120 have holes 125 formed within them that cooperate with holes 225 (seen in FIG. 12) formed in tabs 220 formed in the second example of endplate 20. The bracket 10 and endplate 20 may be rotatably or fixedly attached to each other using nuts/bolts, pins, rivets, etc.

Referring now to FIGS. 8 to 11 an example of the invention for mounting to a dual tail pipe configuration is shown. This example is similar to the previous examples with the addition of two slidable brackets 300 which are “U” shaped and have elongated slots 310 formed within them. In this configuration, the bracket 10 has two holes 320 formed within it. Bolts or other attachment mechanisms may be threaded through the elongated slots 310. The bolts may have nuts attached to their end. This allows the assembly to be expanded or contracted to fit various dual tail pipe 60 spacings. Once the clamps 40 are attached, the nuts/bolts may or may not be tightened depending on the desired rigidity.

Referring now to FIG. 12 a close up perspective view of the attachment points of a second example of the endplate 20 and first example of the bracket 10 is shown. In order to attach these two examples a pin, bolt or other attachment device is threaded through the channel formed by circular bend 80 and holes 225. In this example, the circular bend 80 may have a relatively smaller circumference.

Referring now to FIG. 13 a close up perspective view of the first example of the endplate 20 and bracket 10 is shown.

Referring now to FIG. 14 a close up perspective view of a third example of the endplate 20 and bracket 10 attachment point is shows In this example the bracket 10 has two circular bends 80 and the endplate 20 also has a circular bend 81. A pin, bolt, etc. is threaded through the channel formed by these bends to rigidly or rotatably attach the endplate 20 and bracket 10. Alternatively, the endplate 20 may have two bends 81 and the bracket 10 may have one bend 80.

Referring now to FIG. 15 a close up perspective view of a fourth example of the endplate 20 and third example of the bracket 10 attachment point is shown. In this example the endplate has a circular bend 81 (or loop, curl, etc.) which is attached to the bracket 10 in a similar fashion as the previous example.

Referring now to FIG. 16 various additional examples of the bracket 10 are shown. As indicated above, the bracket may be formed of different lengths depending on the application. In addition, the various elements of the bracket 10 may be combined to create many versions of the bracket 10.

Referring now to FIG. 17 the bracket 10 is shown along with a sound dampener 44. The sound dampener 44 may fit within the circular bend 80 and may prevent or reduce sound caused by vibration between the endplate 20 and bracket 10. The sound dampener 44 may be formed of any appropriate material such as rubber. 

1. An apparatus for attachment to a tail pipe of a vehicle comprising: an elongate bracket operative to be coupled to said tail pipe and having an end extendable beyond an outlet of said tail pipe; an endplate coupled to said end; a symbol formed as a part of said endplate and operative to be viewed by an observer outside said vehicle.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said endplate prevents said observer from viewing a substantial part of said tail pipe.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said bracket comprises a bend separating said bracket into first and second sections; said first section mountable flush with said tail pipe and said second section angled such that said endplate is hangable to obscure from view at least a portion of an exhaust system of said vehicle.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said bracket comprises a circular bend formed at said end and through a slot in said endplate.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said endplate is rotatable within said circular bend.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising a sound dampener disposed within said circular bend.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said symbol comprises at least one hole formed in said endplate in the shape of said symbol.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said symbol comprises at least one marking on a surface of said endplate.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a rotatable attachment between said elongate bracket and said endplate.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said rotatable attachment comprises a circular bend.
 11. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said rotatable attachment comprises at least one attachment tab.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said elongate bracket comprises a retaining tab operative to be engaged with an outlet edge of said tail pipe.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said retaining tab is operative to engage an inside surface of said tail pipe.
 14. An apparatus for attachment to a tail pipe of a vehicle comprising: an endplate; a symbol formed as a part of said endplate and operative to be viewed by an observer outside said vehicle; first means for suspending said endplate beyond an outlet of said tail pipe; second means for positioning said endplate in order to obstruct an observer's view of said tail pipe.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14 further comprising: third means for preventing said endplate from obstructing flow of exhaust gases from said tail pipe.
 16. The apparatus of claim 14 further comprising: third means for securing said apparatus to said tailpipe.
 17. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said tail pipe is a first tail pipe and said apparatus further comprises: third means for attaching said apparatus to a second tail pipe; fourth means for centering said endplate between said first and second tail pipes.
 18. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said symbol comprises at least one hole formed in said endplate in the shape of said symbol.
 19. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said symbol comprises at least one marking on a surface of said endplate.
 20. The apparatus of claim 14 further comprising third means for hanging said endplate near vertical
 21. The apparatus of claim 14 further comprising third means for rotatably attaching said endplate to said first means. 